Senior Accounting and Finance Assistant

The Senior Accounting and Finance Assistant plays a lead role in finance and accounting tasks, monitoring and reporting, ensuring compliance with financial rules and regulations, and supervising teams to ensure efficient financial operations at the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) in Trieste. The role includes acting as Certifying Officer, preparing draft financial statements, and supporting business continuity in the absence of the Head of Unit.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Head of Unit in the overall management of financial resources; manage the work of the Accounting & Treasury, Invoice Control, and Travel Teams.
• Interpret financial and administrative policies; provide guidance and technical training to staff and implementing partners.
• Draft Standard Operating Procedures; monitor internal processes and recommend improvements; prepare statistical and status reports including periodic dashboards.
• Liaise with UNESCO BFM and other stakeholders on financial, administrative and accounting matters; represent the Section in relevant meetings as required.
• Maintain accurate records of financial transactions; provide expert advice on IPSAS application; manage monthly and yearly financial closure processes including voluntary contribution projects.
• Lead the analysis, follow-up and liquidation of unliquidated obligations (ULOs); carry out reconciliation, investigation and reporting of accounting data; perform bank reconciliation.
• Oversee the processing and monitoring of payments; verify invoices against goods and services provided; certify disbursements and commitments in line with rules and regulations.
• Assist in the preparation of the annual IPSAS-compliant ICTP Financial Statements; coordinate interaction with External Auditors and respond to their inquiries.
• Provide certified donor financial reporting; organise and oversee independent audits and/or certification of project and implementing partner financial reports.
• Provide regular and ad hoc financial information to senior management and other stakeholders.
• Oversee the financial recording of assets (creation, transfer, disposal); assist in the verification of work in progress, inventories and assets to ensure they are safeguarded.
• Perform additional activities that may be required to ensure the success of the work team.

Requirements

• Completed secondary, technical and/or vocational school.
• Minimum ten (10) years of progressive experience in finance, accounting or budget management.
• Expert knowledge of international accounting standards (IPSAS and/or IFRS) and their application in a public-sector or international organisation context.
• Proficiency in SAP or a similar ERP system; experience in financial closure processes and accounts reconciliation.
• Strong numerical, analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to interpret financial and administrative standards and resolve complex issues.
• Excellent computer skills including advanced MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint); ability to consolidate data and produce financial reports with accuracy.
• High degree of accuracy, discretion and sense of confidentiality; team and service-oriented, with emphasis on quality, efficiency and results.
• Ability to operate independently, prioritize competing demands and deliver under tight deadlines; proven capacity to lead and supervise a team.
• Experience in certified donor financial reporting and in organising or overseeing independent audits and/or certification of project and implementing partner financial reports.
• Knowledge of asset management processes, including financial recording of asset creation, transfer and disposal, and verification of inventories.
• Excellent knowledge (spoken and written) of English and Italian.

Skills

• International Accounting Standards
• IPSAS
• IFRS
• Finance Management
• Accounting
• Budget Management
• SAP
• ERP Systems
• Financial Closure Processes
• Account Reconciliation
• Numerical Analysis
• Financial Reporting
• MS Excel
• MS Word
• MS PowerPoint
• Data Consolidation
• Donor Financial Reporting
• Audit Coordination
• Asset Management
• Inventory Verification
• Team Supervision
• Certifying Officer Experience

Languages

English, Italian